Today, I had to take my daughter for a hospital appointment at 9am so once we were all done at 9.45, it would have been a waste not to nip into the city centre and have a quick look...and buy her (and mummy) a little something for being brave.
I wore my latest sale bargain which I picked up in New Look yesterday. Their sale is pretty good but was well picked over so I was delighted to come across my favourite Jersey Blazer in the khaki green colour way...for £10! I was at the till in moments. It was the only one left though so might not be widely available in stores. It's still showing online at full price but this is because these jackets are regular stock in New Look.
Breton - Joules
Jeans - Maison Scotch (past season)
Slip On Trainers - Sperry (bought in NYC)
Pear Shoulder Bag - Orla Kiely (past season)
The first shop we went into was Warehouse. I'd seen a few things online but wanted to check them in-store first. Unfortunately, they only had one of the items in stock and I didn't like it in the flesh...but on the up-side, there was an extra 20% off sale prices and I saw this fab navy handbag.
I seem to be looking endlessly for the right navy handbag...I want it to be the right shade of navy, with a cross body strap but in a decent size. This ticked all boxes...except the leather one. I rarely buy non-leather bags but for £16, I sucked it up. You can't win 'em all!
It's great in that it works like a tote when the poppers are opened up and it also has an inner layer so you don't have everything swishing around at the bottom of the bag. But you can close up the poppers and clip on the cross body strap and you have a really stylish 'hands free' bag. The quality is lovely and it doesn't feel too plastic-y.
Blue Smart Bucket Bag - Warehouse £20 (online)
Next up, we popped into Fossil as I'm looking on behalf of a friend for a practical, good quality leather bag, preferably black but she's open to other colours. Hands free is preferred so I found these few beauties in the sale and sent her through the photos. This first one is the Riley Foldover Tote in Black that can be worn as a cross body bag or as a tote. The black isn't showing online...
...but the tan colour is!
These backpacks are lovely too...not available online but there is a similar one showing on the website on this link.
This bucket style handbag is a great shade of grey/blue and it can be worn as a cross-body also (not online)
Finally, these Syndey Satchels are also very versatile and can be used as a smart tote or a more casual cross body. Pictures online of the red version of this bag on this link.
I have to commend the sales assistant in Fossil - she was so helpful but not pushy and when I mentioned that my own Fossil bag is frustrating because it doesn't have a cross body strap, she went into the back room and brought me out a selection of straps. She knew the bag I was describing and which strap would suit best and gave it to me free of charge. I am absolutely thrilled because I adore my Fossil bag but have been using it less since my back problems flared up last year.
My bag is the older version of the Explorer fold-over bag and is a mix of brown and black leather so she had a brown fabric strap that matches the brown details perfectly.
Voila - my new cross body....
So thrilled and beyond impressed with that member of staff going the extra mile, without knowing that I was going to buy anything, or that I have a blog. Great customer service that will see me returning to purchase for sure.
Then it was back home to watch the showers and listen to the thunder....was I really wearing shorts this day last week?!
Thank goodness for new handbags and customised old handbags...they cheer me up no matter what the weather!
Ax
Love this outfit Avril & at £10 it would have been rude to leave that jacket behind.
ReplyDeleteJane xx
My Midlife Fashion
Lovely outfit Avril. I need to get myself a new stripy top :)
ReplyDeleteThe blazer is lovely, and what a bargain!
ReplyDeletekizzyhearts.blogspot.co.uk
Love the blazer, I have it in a coral colour from last summer. What a great bonus in Fossil! X
ReplyDeleteGreat finds Avril, love your jacket in the khaki & would love to get my hands on one of those! I've had great service in that Fossil store too (bought my watch there), brilliant that you can now use your bag again!
ReplyDeleteNic x
You should really write/tweet/FB Fossil and commend that sales assistant. Love great customer service like that!!
ReplyDeleteI do love good customer service & we certainly don't shout about it enough do we? welldone Fossil x
ReplyDeleteLove that! The brown strap completely rejuvenates that bag. Looks great. I love it when you find good customer service like that - sadly so rare now. Navy bag looks like a great find too. You're so right - in this weather, there's nothing like a new bag to cheer ourselves up!
ReplyDeleteOh I need that jacket, Avril! Gorgeous! Lynne xx
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to avoid the sales Avril but I have to say that I nipped into New Look with a friend the other day and they had some great stuff reduced.....I didn't succumb to anything in there on that day though as I have had some sales success in Warehouse! What amazing service you had in Fossil....that is going above and beyond! I just wish there were more retailers who realised how far that kind of good will gesture goes! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat blazer & what fantastic customer service! I've seriously fallen back in love with
ReplyDeleteFossil bags & feel the need for a trip through to Aberdeen to the Fossil shop soon! X